🍁ptix
@optix.bsky.social
An analog kid trapped in a digital adult body. Choose kindness. 𝄢
#Monarch update: 86 released this year with 2 more left to hatch/eclose.
I harvested this year's seed pods and... Well, it's a LOT. 10oz coffee mug for reference.
Since we don't have anymore space, we're going to scatter them along a walking trail this fall so they will germinate in the spring.
I harvested this year's seed pods and... Well, it's a LOT. 10oz coffee mug for reference.
Since we don't have anymore space, we're going to scatter them along a walking trail this fall so they will germinate in the spring.
September 28, 2025 at 2:31 PM
#Monarch update: 86 released this year with 2 more left to hatch/eclose.
I harvested this year's seed pods and... Well, it's a LOT. 10oz coffee mug for reference.
Since we don't have anymore space, we're going to scatter them along a walking trail this fall so they will germinate in the spring.
I harvested this year's seed pods and... Well, it's a LOT. 10oz coffee mug for reference.
Since we don't have anymore space, we're going to scatter them along a walking trail this fall so they will germinate in the spring.
#Monarch update: 72 released so far, with 15 remaining.
It got down to 2 degrees Celsius last night and after releasing 5 more this morning with a frost warning for tonight, we decided to move them inside.
Will they make it to Mexico? Who knows, but we'll give them the best chance possible.
It got down to 2 degrees Celsius last night and after releasing 5 more this morning with a frost warning for tonight, we decided to move them inside.
Will they make it to Mexico? Who knows, but we'll give them the best chance possible.
September 20, 2025 at 7:40 PM
#Monarch update: 72 released so far, with 15 remaining.
It got down to 2 degrees Celsius last night and after releasing 5 more this morning with a frost warning for tonight, we decided to move them inside.
Will they make it to Mexico? Who knows, but we'll give them the best chance possible.
It got down to 2 degrees Celsius last night and after releasing 5 more this morning with a frost warning for tonight, we decided to move them inside.
Will they make it to Mexico? Who knows, but we'll give them the best chance possible.
#Monarch update: 57 released as of this morning and 2 more just hatched for release tomorrow.
There are still 23 chrysalids left to hatch and somehow I missed the last chonky caterpillar still munching away.
Our 1st year we released 7, then 13 our 2nd year. Not a bad improvement for our 3rd year!
There are still 23 chrysalids left to hatch and somehow I missed the last chonky caterpillar still munching away.
Our 1st year we released 7, then 13 our 2nd year. Not a bad improvement for our 3rd year!
September 12, 2025 at 2:45 PM
#Monarch update: 57 released as of this morning and 2 more just hatched for release tomorrow.
There are still 23 chrysalids left to hatch and somehow I missed the last chonky caterpillar still munching away.
Our 1st year we released 7, then 13 our 2nd year. Not a bad improvement for our 3rd year!
There are still 23 chrysalids left to hatch and somehow I missed the last chonky caterpillar still munching away.
Our 1st year we released 7, then 13 our 2nd year. Not a bad improvement for our 3rd year!
#Monarch update: we released 4 more butterflies this morning and 3 more hatched while we were out.
Since it's late summer, some leaves are looking iffy so I plucked any with chrysalids on them and hung them up.
If my math is right, that should give us 69 released this year.
Nice!
Since it's late summer, some leaves are looking iffy so I plucked any with chrysalids on them and hung them up.
If my math is right, that should give us 69 released this year.
Nice!
September 4, 2025 at 9:11 PM
#Monarch update: we released 4 more butterflies this morning and 3 more hatched while we were out.
Since it's late summer, some leaves are looking iffy so I plucked any with chrysalids on them and hung them up.
If my math is right, that should give us 69 released this year.
Nice!
Since it's late summer, some leaves are looking iffy so I plucked any with chrysalids on them and hung them up.
If my math is right, that should give us 69 released this year.
Nice!
#Monarch update: there is no update!
This is our 2nd day without any new butterflies but a bunch should be ready to say hello soon.
There are still a few chonkers that aren't quiet ready to be butterflies but should be in the next couple of days.
This is our 2nd day without any new butterflies but a bunch should be ready to say hello soon.
There are still a few chonkers that aren't quiet ready to be butterflies but should be in the next couple of days.
September 1, 2025 at 9:08 PM
#Monarch update: there is no update!
This is our 2nd day without any new butterflies but a bunch should be ready to say hello soon.
There are still a few chonkers that aren't quiet ready to be butterflies but should be in the next couple of days.
This is our 2nd day without any new butterflies but a bunch should be ready to say hello soon.
There are still a few chonkers that aren't quiet ready to be butterflies but should be in the next couple of days.
August 27, 2025 at 3:48 PM
#Monarch update: 31st butterfly was let go this morning, with at least 18 yet to hatch.
Here's a quick pic of the different stages.
J-hanging: about to go into the chrysalis.
Green: recently went in/going through the metamorphosis.
Black (transparent): due to hatch soon.
Clear/broken: hatched.
Here's a quick pic of the different stages.
J-hanging: about to go into the chrysalis.
Green: recently went in/going through the metamorphosis.
Black (transparent): due to hatch soon.
Clear/broken: hatched.
August 27, 2025 at 2:12 PM
#Monarch update: 31st butterfly was let go this morning, with at least 18 yet to hatch.
Here's a quick pic of the different stages.
J-hanging: about to go into the chrysalis.
Green: recently went in/going through the metamorphosis.
Black (transparent): due to hatch soon.
Clear/broken: hatched.
Here's a quick pic of the different stages.
J-hanging: about to go into the chrysalis.
Green: recently went in/going through the metamorphosis.
Black (transparent): due to hatch soon.
Clear/broken: hatched.
#Monarch update: Another 6 released today for a total of 15 so far, and a new butterfly just said hello as I write this!
There are still 15 in their chrysalids (that I can see), 2 caterpillars J-hanging, 2 that have left the milkweed and are preparing to hang and at least 5 more munching away.
There are still 15 in their chrysalids (that I can see), 2 caterpillars J-hanging, 2 that have left the milkweed and are preparing to hang and at least 5 more munching away.
August 22, 2025 at 3:25 PM
#Monarch update: Another 6 released today for a total of 15 so far, and a new butterfly just said hello as I write this!
There are still 15 in their chrysalids (that I can see), 2 caterpillars J-hanging, 2 that have left the milkweed and are preparing to hang and at least 5 more munching away.
There are still 15 in their chrysalids (that I can see), 2 caterpillars J-hanging, 2 that have left the milkweed and are preparing to hang and at least 5 more munching away.
#Monarch update: 10 eclosed (hatched), 9 released and lots more on the way! 🦋
No idea why 1 died after it just left the chrysalis, but I suspect it was related to the low temperature that morning. ☹️
No idea why 1 died after it just left the chrysalis, but I suspect it was related to the low temperature that morning. ☹️
August 21, 2025 at 4:43 PM
#Monarch update: 10 eclosed (hatched), 9 released and lots more on the way! 🦋
No idea why 1 died after it just left the chrysalis, but I suspect it was related to the low temperature that morning. ☹️
No idea why 1 died after it just left the chrysalis, but I suspect it was related to the low temperature that morning. ☹️
My Yzerman jersey arrived! Now Detroit *HAS* to make the playoffs!
The last time I had a Red Wings jersey was junior high and that wasn't yesterday (obviously).
#LGRW
The last time I had a Red Wings jersey was junior high and that wasn't yesterday (obviously).
#LGRW
August 19, 2025 at 3:36 PM
My Yzerman jersey arrived! Now Detroit *HAS* to make the playoffs!
The last time I had a Red Wings jersey was junior high and that wasn't yesterday (obviously).
#LGRW
The last time I had a Red Wings jersey was junior high and that wasn't yesterday (obviously).
#LGRW
Excited to have you in my neck of the woods in September!
August 15, 2025 at 1:08 PM
Excited to have you in my neck of the woods in September!
We got ourselves a hanger!
In fact there are 4 other #Monarch caterpillars that have moved off the milkweed and are about ready to j-hang, which is the next step before they enter their chrysalis.
After that it's 🦋 time!
In fact there are 4 other #Monarch caterpillars that have moved off the milkweed and are about ready to j-hang, which is the next step before they enter their chrysalis.
After that it's 🦋 time!
July 31, 2025 at 2:47 PM
We got ourselves a hanger!
In fact there are 4 other #Monarch caterpillars that have moved off the milkweed and are about ready to j-hang, which is the next step before they enter their chrysalis.
After that it's 🦋 time!
In fact there are 4 other #Monarch caterpillars that have moved off the milkweed and are about ready to j-hang, which is the next step before they enter their chrysalis.
After that it's 🦋 time!
#Monarch update: everyone in the enclosure seems happy and healthy.
We've had Monarchs (and bees and hummingbirds) visiting the milkweed in the open garden every day this week and the plants are polluted with eggs.
Looks like we'll smash last year's record of 13 monarchs raised and released.
We've had Monarchs (and bees and hummingbirds) visiting the milkweed in the open garden every day this week and the plants are polluted with eggs.
Looks like we'll smash last year's record of 13 monarchs raised and released.
July 27, 2025 at 2:06 PM
#Monarch update: everyone in the enclosure seems happy and healthy.
We've had Monarchs (and bees and hummingbirds) visiting the milkweed in the open garden every day this week and the plants are polluted with eggs.
Looks like we'll smash last year's record of 13 monarchs raised and released.
We've had Monarchs (and bees and hummingbirds) visiting the milkweed in the open garden every day this week and the plants are polluted with eggs.
Looks like we'll smash last year's record of 13 monarchs raised and released.
Our last count was 12 #monarch caterpillars in the enclosure to keep them safe from predator beetles as they grow.
Daily checks are done to make sure they're happy.
There are tons of eggs on the milkweed plants out in the open garden, so we'll move them to the enclosure once they hatch.
Daily checks are done to make sure they're happy.
There are tons of eggs on the milkweed plants out in the open garden, so we'll move them to the enclosure once they hatch.
July 22, 2025 at 3:47 PM
Our last count was 12 #monarch caterpillars in the enclosure to keep them safe from predator beetles as they grow.
Daily checks are done to make sure they're happy.
There are tons of eggs on the milkweed plants out in the open garden, so we'll move them to the enclosure once they hatch.
Daily checks are done to make sure they're happy.
There are tons of eggs on the milkweed plants out in the open garden, so we'll move them to the enclosure once they hatch.
Good draft choices, Patrick Kane re-signed for 1 year, a goalie upgrade with John Gibson, and Vladimir Tarasenko shipped off for "future considerations" which likely means Detroit wants more cap space for something big.
A top for D-man and a top 6 winger would be marvy!
A top for D-man and a top 6 winger would be marvy!
July 1, 2025 at 12:30 PM
Good draft choices, Patrick Kane re-signed for 1 year, a goalie upgrade with John Gibson, and Vladimir Tarasenko shipped off for "future considerations" which likely means Detroit wants more cap space for something big.
A top for D-man and a top 6 winger would be marvy!
A top for D-man and a top 6 winger would be marvy!
I love Japan's weirdness so much.
June 30, 2025 at 4:01 PM
I love Japan's weirdness so much.
What... The... Heck?!
It's only June!!!
It's only June!!!
June 18, 2025 at 9:39 PM
What... The... Heck?!
It's only June!!!
It's only June!!!
Found this while taking Remi on our lunch walk.
Thanks. I needed a smile.
Thanks. I needed a smile.
June 9, 2025 at 7:36 PM
Found this while taking Remi on our lunch walk.
Thanks. I needed a smile.
Thanks. I needed a smile.